Sonora, CA — The legacy of a former Sonora City Councilwoman was highlighted on Monday evening.
At the start of the Sonora City Council meeting, Mayor Ann Segerstrom announced that Colette Such, who served from 2018 to 2022, had passed away.
Segerstrom stated, “Last Thursday, the city lost Colette Such, a remarkable woman who contributed to the community in so many ways, one can’t list them all. She was a woman of high principles, insightful intelligence, graceful language, wicked humor, generous friendship, and incredible culinary skills. Due to a chronic medical condition, she traveled frequently between Sonora and UCSF. I am grateful that she accepted that challenge with the same equanimity with which she undertook the many challenges here in Sonora.”
Segerstrom, Vice Mayor Andy Merrill, and Councilwoman Bess Levine all highly praised Such, and stated that she had encouraged them to run for office, and played an instrumental role in their getting involved in local politics.
Merrill added that it had yet to really sink in. He said, “I wouldn’t be here without her, and doing this job hasn’t always been easy, either, and I guess the one thing that I will miss most is being able to call her and getting some advice, and having someone with experience to bounce ideas off of.”
Levine added, “She encouraged me to run for city council, and I probably would never have done it if it weren’t for Colette. She helped me immensely running my campaign and encouraging me, and believing in me.”
It was noted that during her four years in office, Such helped with the passage of Measure Y, chaired the city’s Social Equity Committee, helped with the hiring of a new City Administrator, and served during the tumultuous COVID period. She also played a key role with other community groups, such as the Columbia College Foundation.
Mayor Segerstrom concluded, “While her time as a councilmember was just one aspect of the many ways she served her community, for me, it is a lasting testament to her dedication to making our small, sweet city a haven for all.”
